Magical Mission: Portal to a New Home

by Player 4


Chapter 11: Split Pathway

(Cricket noises)

Yeah, um... what do I do?

Me standing like a stick in the open field while also being looked at in the eyes by several ponies all around me in the middle of the Ponyville Day Spa's lobby, this question was not finding its answer.

Well, at least we get lucky in that somepony decides to be the one to break the ice and prevent a drop into awkward silence.

"I'm guessin' you just got hired to the spa here, Four?", Applejack asks.

"Yup. I did.", I say. "And now I've just been hired to two jobs. On the same day!"

Indeed, and even if I use the protocol of letting things come to me, which I will, that can't always take effect. My spa job will have to be scheduled; it's not quite as flexible as my mind would want. Then what days do I work at the spa and what days do I not? What if an urgent Sweet Apple Acres project shows up on the same day the spa is having a building-packed busy day where a multitude of ponies want my hands on them?

Yeah, I'm stressed out. As I am prone to being. But, it must be reminded where I'm located. Help is on the way.

"I understand your worries, P4. It will be a balancing act. But remember that we're here for you.", one mare on the right side of the room says. "I may not have any specific advice for your situation, but since you've been such a great first human to us, we will support you in whatever way possible."

"I work two careers.", another mare sitting beside her said. "I'm sure I can help."

That does sound really good...

"We shall work with in scheduling too, Player 4.", Lotus says. "Just come to us with any concern you have."

I nod in response, feeling the initial shock get remedied somewhat. Yes, between the supportive nature of these ponies and the fact that there's one right there who works two careers, I can convince myself I'll be able to perform the balancing act. Especially if I'm committed to it.

But then my mind sets itself on fire in another way, by exposing me to another problem, in that this did not fall anywhere short of qualifying as a full-blown split pathway. Spa, data, and music, all three of them looking me in the eyes. My visualization is myself standing in front of three tunnels with the knowledge that I won't have to go down only one of them, but being incessantly buzzed around by the question (because it needs its answer before I can move out of this spot) "Which one do I go in first?"

And then, if this were a movie on a screen I was viewing in a theater, I'd be anticipating the next scene to feature me continuing to stand there in agitating indecisiveness, which fails to be solved and I end up shouting "Urgh!", and sitting on the ground in defeat.

Except, before that scene can come, somepony is sounding like they have access to my mind.

"What I would say is go for the one you're most excited about right now, then worry about the rest later. Take it one step at a time.", one stallion says.

"I second that. Then, try not to look ahead to the difficulties down the line. You'll handle them when they get to you.", the mare sitting next to him added. "In the meantime, take a bit of time to think which one you want to go for first."

I do manage to give these ponies' words a proper listen, after which they do sound totally right. I love the idea of going step-by-step and choosing an option in accordance with my current desires. I already do this and know the protocol well; I just needed it reminded to me, I guess.

Good. So, let's ask the question. Which of the three jobs has been on my mind the most lately?

Honestly, it has to be music. That song I've been writing has been popping into my head at times where it's rather uninvited, and... yeah, I don't want to wait until further down the line to work on it more. I've also been having daydreams about what kinds of awesome opportunities lurk out there for me in the music world. Visualizations of collaborations, studio sessions, and performances took center stage over anything related to data or spa work.

So yeah, music should probably go first. It's been front in line inside my brain.

And hey, it's actually behind the other two in terms of where the real-life progress bar is filled up to. I already know I'm headed into the other two fields, because I've been hired to them. Such is not the case with music. I haven't actually done any profitable actions, like releasing and performing shows, as of yet. With my current furthest point being working on my first song's pre-studio stage, any surefire money is yet to be determined, so...

Pointer finger straight up in the air...

Yeah! Music should definitely go first, because then, I can bring all three options to the same point, where each have a wide-open opportunity that I know I can capitalize on. Balance them out in the first way before balancing them out in the later way.

That sounds good. There we go, my mates.

So that's a fire of anxiety successfully put out once again thanks to the extinguishers that were these wonderful ponies, who, as I look, there's something else on my horizon here.


I feel the extent of my status in this town show itself to me. This light-blue spa lobby, out of all places, is packed to the brim with ponies looking straight at my face with smiles on theirs.

And I don't need any time to detect the source of this scene. These ponies, or at least some of them, were here when Applejack came through the doors and announced the result of my farm data entry application, topped off with how much enthusiasm sounded out in her voice as she spoke it. Then, they know why I'm standing in the spa over any other places; because I got hired here by virtue of exposing them to the touch of human hands.

It's a room packed to the brim with ponies who recognize me by appearance and know my name, and who genuinely believe that I am becoming a positive force in their land. Who appreciate me and what I do.

I'm being looked at, appreciated, treated... like a celebrity.

Wow.


My complete and utter inability to process the idea that I could claim this status tries to ensue, only for the balancing act of work to somewhat regain its original position in my mind. An occurrence of "Oh, right. That."...but not a total takeover.

This swirling combo manifests itself in an unplanned, but worthy of being, full speech.

"Everypony here, you're awesome.", I say to the crowd. "I cannot thank you enough for the experience you've given me in your land so far. This split pathway may be tough, but the fact that I've made it this far, to have two great career opportunities with ability to pursue more, in only two weeks,, that's a huge accomplishment that I couldn't have done without the helping hooves, kindness, and everything that you ponies have given me."

"I heavily appreciate your excitement for me working in this spa and at Sweet Apple Acres.", I say, thankfully remembering this part too. "It's heartwarming that you already believe that I can bring something great to you all."

"And I do plan to start working in both those places soon enough. I look forward to the results too. But right now, I have decided to go for music."

After I make that declaration that sounds to me like it possesses ability to disappoint and garner negative reviews, here comes nothing but a sea of support.

"That sounds awesome, P4. It's always good to have more musicians in town.", one mare says.

"Your life, your choices.", a stallion says.

"Yes. You do that, and we will see you at the spa soon.", Aloe says to me.

"I can wait on the scritches for a bit. With you trying to operate three careers, we won't pressure you.", another mare says.

Wow. It feels so good.


So here I set off into the first land of my job journey: music land. Out the spa doors and on a walk towards town square, to investigate what kind of community music playing offers Ponyville has.

With a positive pause on the way, though. Rarity found me outside and gleefully announced that my fresh set of clothing was finished and ready for pick-up.

Victory fist in the air, my mates.

Of course I want to change out of these grimy old garments ASAP, but, I don't want to have to carry all those clothes with me on the rest of this outside adventure, plus, the investigations into music opportunities is the final thing on my list before I head home for the day, so I decide to go to the boutique after that, which Rarity accepted and announced that she will see me there.

So I keep moving along on the predicted path, and soon enough, here I am, right in front of the board with "music" as its top label in large letters. I clap my hands together.

Let's see what we've got here.


Continues with Fusion Genres